Laurier team wins top prize at national business technology case competition

July 22, 2019

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Business Technology Management (BTM) team, Case@BTM, is celebrating a first-place finish at the International Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) national student case competition. 

Fourth-year students Austin James Lavigne, Lionel William, Amandeep Dhillon and Qianyu (Chloe) Sun participated in the online competition, which gave students a week to analyze a real-life business technology management issue, apply business theories they've learned in class and present a solution to a panel of judges. 

It was the first time a team from Laurier's Brantford campus competed in the national case competition, which this year saw entries from eight universities across Canada. The students were awarded a $5,000 prize from event sponsor Symbility Intersect for their victory.

"Being recognized as the top team in the ITAC competition is truly the cherry on top of a very demanding but extremely rewarding experience," said Lavigne.

The students trained with Business Technology Management Associate Professor Josephine McMurray and Assistant Professor Kevin McDermott for several months leading up to the competition.

"The team should be proud – they worked really hard for it and deserve the recognition,” said McDermott. "A win for the team in its first competition speaks to the fine education that our business students receive."

The Business Technology Management degree program is offered by the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Laurier’s Brantford campus. The program offers opportunities for students to hone their skills in a real-world environment, including the case competition initiative.

"Case competitions are such a roller coaster of emotions – excitement, stress, joy and exhilaration – from the first read to the final pitch,” said Lavigne. “There were times when we were unsure of ourselves, but leaning on our extensive training from some great coaches we managed to deliver a quality pitch we were proud of. I'm so glad I had the unique privilege to be a part of the Laurier Case@BTM team.”